SPECIAL OBSRVANCES HUB 

International Sex Worker Rights Day focus: Preaux xChange: legislative advocacy This day began when over 25,000 sex workers gathered in India for a festival organized by a Calcutta-based group called Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (Unstoppable Women's Synthesis Committee), despite protests pressuring the government to revoke the permit for the parade in 2001. 2024 THEME: LEGISLATION TO WATCH (ACTIVITIES) Write the Capitol Day Let your state legislators know why they should advocate for Sex Work DECRIM, how they can help promote worker's rights, and reduce harm within the sex work industry. Get sample guides and more information about currently legislation in GA using the Preaux xChange Tool Kit. Legislation to Watch social media posts Follow Red Light District by TW!O on Instagram and help boost our grassroots awareness campaign for this special day of observance by liking, commenting, and sharing posts. CLICK ANY IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD

International Whores' Day focus: Heaux Hang: community networking, health, and wellness In the 1970s, French police kept sex workers under increasing pressure. The police reprisals forced sex workers to work increasingly in secret. As a result, protection of sex workers decreased and led to more violence against them. After two murders and the unwillingness of the government to improve the situation, sex workers in Lyon occupied the Saint-Nizier church in rue de Brest and went on strike. The striking workers sang political chants and demanded decent working conditions and an end to stigma. The police cleared the church after eight days. The event marks the starting point of an international movement of sex workers for sex workers' rights. 2024 THEME: READING IS FUNDAMENTAL This year our theme Reading is FundaMENTAL asks community members to call out AKA “read” bad laws that promote injustice and inequality, racism, sexism, bigotry, misogyny, trans, and homophobia. Those laws attempting to hide in plain sight creating discriminatory barriers that target marginalized groups including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and sex worker communities. We also want you to call out the lawmakers who continue to support these harmful laws. Let them know we see them. The time has come to put on your reading glasses 👓 and release some pent-up emotions. ​ Tell them how you really feel! The library is officially open. ACTIVITIES Read 2 Filth Reading Contest (submit a link to your video here) Heaux Hang Virtual Book Club Edition (powered by Goodreads) BSWC Library Book Collections Drive (in partnership with The BSWC) CLICK ANY IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD

Sex Worker Pride Day focus: Art Heels: sex worker art/creativity Sex Worker Pride began in 2019, and is an opportunity to celebrate and share stories of sex workers’ self-determination and the achievements of the sex worker rights movement. Sex Worker Pride extends to all marginalized by criminalization, discrimination and stigma across the sex worker movement and celebrates the diversity within our community during International Sex Worker Pride. 2024 THEME: TALES FROM THE TRADE With Headliner & Atlanta Legend Blondie from Clermont Lounge, Tales from the Trade is a live story-telling show featuring local sex workers in the Atlanta area from strippers to porn stars to escorts and more. Think of it as Moth Radio Hour or Vagina Monologues for sex workers, with some performance pieces by local burlesque artists. Held at on the dance floor of The Iconic Atlanta Eagle at 1402 Piedmont Ave NE. Our leading sponsor is Red Light District, a non profit sex work advocacy organization based here in Atlanta. PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD

International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers focus: xPression: memorial and remembrance The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (IDEVASW) was founded by Annie Sprinkle, founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA), an American sex worker rights organization. The inaugural observance was in 2003 and was held as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington. 2024 ACTIVITIES: TREE PLANTING CEREMONY (WPN POWER TRIBUTE) Saturday, December 14th Agenda: 9AM Rock Garden Party 10AM-12PM Tree Planting Ceremony 12:30PM-2:30PM Luncheon and Film Screening (Haven @ Golden Dawn) RSVP The goal of the Memorial Tree and Rock Garden is to enhance the visibility of sex workers and engage the local community by strategically occupying a physical space in the Atlanta area. This tree and rock garden will serve as a memorial for individuals lost while working as sex workers. The purpose is to honor those who through marginalization have, in many ways, been thrown out by society. The need for adaptive safety measures in the sex worker industry has been long overdue. The tragic and cowardly actions the gunman took on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 during the Atlanta Spa Shootings, taking the lives of eight people — six massage parlor workers and two clients — highlight this issue. This violent event, along with many other acts of violence over the years, underscores the devastating impact of criminalization, stigma, and systemic inequality. In addition to the memorial tree dedication, the location will feature a rock garden uplifting the space with positive messages. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD XPRESSIONS HEALING SPACE Tuesday, December 17th Agenda: There will be an additional event activity hosted Tuesday, Dec 17. More details to come.